Retailers Can Get Advice in Backer’s ‘Ask the Expert’ Sessions
Experts on a variety of aquarium-related topics will answer retailers’ questions during unique one-on-one sessions at H.H. Backer’s Pet Industry Spring Trade Show and Educational Conference, to be held March 30-April 1 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J...

Branding Drives Pet Industry Sales
Even though consumers don’t show high levels of enthusiasm for brands in most pet product categories, their growing demand for premium products and services could fuel growth for premium and functional fare bearing familiar and well-regarded brand names—including licensed products featuring nostalgic pet heroes such as Lassie and Old Yeller, according to a new report by Packaged Facts, the publishing division of MarketResearch.com Inc. (New York)...

Customer Service Meltdown
Customer service isn’t what it used to be—and it’s going to get worse as demographics shift and societal values change, according to researchers at Wartburg College (Waverly, Iowa)...

New Congress Won’t Rock Boat
Pet retailers and breeders probably won’t see much change in direction on federal legislation that impacts the pet trade—despite the power shift in Congress resulting from the November 2006 elections, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington)...

Canada Changes Pet Food Import Rules
A new proposal from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Ottawa) would require import permits and health certificates for all pet food that contains animal byproducts—including fish and fish byproducts—from the United States, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council-Canada (Ottawa)..

Dog Groomers and Trainers Form First PAC
Dog groomers and dog trainers now have their own political action committee to represent their legislative interests...

National Microchip Database Established
Responding to public appeals for easier ways to reunite lost pets with their families, the American Microchip Advisory Council for Animals (New Orleans) now is developing a nationwide umbrella database to track microchips in companion animals, birds and horses...

Aquarama 2007 Moves to New Site
Aquarama 2007, to be held May 24-27, will draw aquarium hobbyists and experts from around the world to the show’s new location—the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District...

Glee Debuts Visitor-Friendly Layout
Responding to an evolving industry environment, the organizers of Glee are revamping the layout of the 2007 show to improve visitor flow, group complementary products and create a more rewarding buying experience...